Should Rural Kids Be Allowed to Work on Farms & Ranches?

Alisa Valdes of the blog “Learning to Submit” just published an interesting post regarding the proposed Child Labor Law in Agriculture. The law could create some big changes that affect the activities in which kids can legally engage on farms, as well as create restrictions that affect involvement in agricultural youth organizations that provide hands-on learning opportunities such as FFA and 4-H. There also is concern that the law could discourage developing kids’ interest in careers in agriculture, an industry that currently employs 15% of the total American workforce to produce, process and sell food and fiber. It also contributes $700 billion to the U.S. economy.

As mothers and farmers, our kids’ safety is absolutely our number one priority. We also understand it is vitally important it is to protect children from being exploited. But we also feel strongly about the values and work ethic that farm kids develop. Our kids learn things like how to provide care and respect for animals, how to grow crops to feed the growing world population, and how to be good stewards of the environment to protect our planet for future generations. We do all of these things together, as families, while teaching safety, responsibility and character.

We encourage you to ask a farmer about what life is like for children on their farm. Our volunteers are always open to answer your questions, or we encourage you to seek out a farmer in your area. Plus, see what Alisa, a self-proclaimed city gal, has to say about the issue.